Chapter Seven~

As the suns rose over Tatooine, the four rebels gathered quietly around the fire for a humble breakfast, two of them stealing meaningful glances until the stillness was broken as Obi-Wan was struck in the forehead by a spoonful of warm, sticky mush. He looked up with surprise to see a broad smile on his master's face. Obi-Wan wiped away the gooey gruel with mock annoyance and looked at the other two as if daring them to laugh. Padme was the first to crack, covering her mouth with her hand as she utterly failed to conceal her delight. Even Anakin laughed then, until Qui-Gon took aim at him.

A full on war erupted, as all four began throwing whatever food they could reach until they were all covered in the sticky substances. Anakin grabbed Padme about the waist, threatening to smear her face with jam, but was stopped when she ducked her head and tossed an entire bucket of dirty dishwater over her shoulder. As the water streamed down his face in dark rivulets, he laughed in spite of himself, and for a brief moment, everyone forgot where they were and why.

Days passed, and the friends attempted to keep one another's spirits up as the Emperor's reach extended. Qui-Gon and Anakin continued to train during the day, and Anakin threw himself into his studies now with fresh vigor. He poured all of his energy into mastering the Force, but he stayed withdrawn from the rest of the group. They shared meals, but Anakin continued to disappear more and more frequently for longer and longer, never explaining, but to say that he was out walking to find his center.

Obi-Wan grew increasingly concerned about Anakin's emotionalism. He was driven, but not as a Jedi should be. He led with his heart, and Obi-Wan began to doubt whether it could still be trusted.

Padme and Obi-Wan spent many evenings by the radio listening to hear of the enemy's strategy and to offer what aid they could to the cause of the resistance. While they waited, they discussed the changes they saw in Anakin and their concern for Qui-Gon.

One such conversation was interrupted by a transmission that brought both hope and fear. A ship carrying some form of information to be employed for the Imperial cause was landing on Tatooine to refuel. It was unclear what sort of information it carried, but even if it couldn't help the resistance, certainly having it in the hands of the enemy would harm their cause. Obi-Wan ran to Qui-Gon with the report. It was quickly decided that they must intercept the ship. They instructed Anakin to stay and keep the Queen safe while they left on the dangerous mission.

"But I want to help. I can fight! You will need me."

Obi-Wan turned on Anakin, addressing him with the tone one would use to address a petulant child. He tightly gripped the boy's shoulders.

"We need you to protect Queen Amidala. Keep her safe. That is the noblest mission. We have a better chance of success knowing that we don't have to worry about you. Please do not fight us on this. There is no time."

The knights jumped onto their transport, not waiting for a response. Anakin's eyes burned with fury after them as Padme stood at his side overcome with fear for the ones she cared about, for the rebellion, for the angry young man beside her, and for herself.

***

Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon arrived at the landing dock in time to see the Imperial soldiers debark. Six of them, all armed with blasters. Qui-Gon followed them into the hanger as Obi-Wan boarded the ship in hopes of finding the documents. As the door closed behind them, the flurry of blasters and lightsaber was all that Obi-Wan could hear. After minutes, which seemed like hours, of scouring the small fighter, he finally pulled a hidden compartment from the base of the control panel. It was filled with information chips that were individually labeled. Four of them were of particular interest to him. The labels read: Naberrie, Jinn, Kenobi, Skywalker. He rushed to tuck away all of the disks and to go to his master when he sensed a presence behind him.

***

As the Jedis faded into the distance, Anakin erupted in rage. He disappeared into Qui-Gon's tent drawing his lightsaber. Padme stood trembling, not knowing if or how to intervene. Slowly, she pulled back the tent flap, sadness and fear springing to her eyes as she watched the kind boy she once knew transformed into an unruly tempest bent on destruction.

"Anakin."

It was more of a sob than anything else– desperation.

He turned on her with malevolence, striking fear deep within her. It was that look in her eyes that stopped him in his tracks.

***

Obi-Wan rose deftly to his feet, lightsaber in hand, but it was all too quickly knocked from his grip, forcing him into a hand combat with the snarling Imperial trooper before him. They fought, the Force on Obi-Wan's side, until something shifted. What was it that he felt?

Padme.

Was she in danger? In that moment, his concentration lost, he was hit with a blow to the face and pinned to the ground. He fought to regain control, fighting with a renewed fervor. He had to get to her. He reached for the lightsaber. Using the Force, he pulled it to himself. As he drew back to strike, an explosion of pain racked his body. There was a searing pain in his shoulder as his head began to pound, and all went dark.

***

Anakin slowly lowered his weapon and reached out to her as though she were a frightened animal. And so she reacted. She flinched and pulled away from this stranger before her. His eyes narrowed on her, feeling her pull away, his heart darkened.

"Padme, you're the only one who understands me. Please. They're wrong about me. What have they told you?"

She stared back at him confounded. She shook her head wanting him to see how wrong he was. . . about everything. She took a step backward, and he grabbed her arms.

"No. All I have ever wanted was the power to protect the people I love. Don't you see? I couldn't save her, but I can save you. Come away with me, Padme. Let me save you."

Her breath caught in her throat, and her heart began beating wildly. He was clearly delusional. She looked around, praying for some escape, afraid of what he might do next.

"Save me from WHAT?!"

"From anyone who would hurt you. From yourself. I have enough training now. We could escape from here. I can protect you. Padme, I love you. You HAVE to know that."

He pulled her close and ran the backs of his fingers down her cheek, closing the space between them. There was a gentleness to the seemingly simple act, but it was the subtle possessiveness, that steeled her. She didn't know the man before her. He was NOT the Ani that she had befriended years ago. He was a stranger and a threat, and he was insinuating some sort of entitledness that made her uncomfortable. Not just uncomfortable but, angry! The fury rose to her eyes. It didn't go unnoticed.

"What about becoming a Jedi Knight?"

Her voice was flat, her eyes cold.

"Isn't that what you want? Your vows. You can't allow your. . . emotions to–"

He silenced her with a searing kiss. It was hungry and ruthless, almost vicious. She tore her lips away, and he examined her closely, coldly at first, then softening, sensing the fear beneath the ferocious facade. Wanting to put her at ease, he half smiled.

"But I am the Chosen One. We don't have to be bound by their rules, their vows. We could have everything. Power, the strength to bring about peace for your people– the whole Empire, fame, fortune . . . love."

Padme slowly and gently removed his hands from her arms, careful not to upset him. She spoke calmly but firmly, looking into his eyes.

"Anakin, I don't love you, not like that. The future you speak of– it can't be. Don't you see that? I . . ."

His eyes turned cruel and harsh. He clenched his hands into fists.

"It's Obi-Wan. You're in love with him. I've seen the way you look at each other."

Her cheeks went hot. Each other? Though, the venom with which he spewed out the words made her stomach turn, a small shade of hope rose in the light of the statement. Was it true? She wished that it were, but more, she wished that he were here now. Obi-Wan always knew what to do. . . Obi-Wan?

She shut her eyes against the image of him crying out in pain. Where was he now?

***

All of the Imperial troopers dead, Qui-Gon sheathed his lightsaber and headed back toward the ship. As he approached, he saw his former Padawan being dragged away. He followed quietly from a distance. After a few yards, Obi-Wan's captors ducked into a small alley, and began searching his unconscious body for something. Qui-Gon took the opportunity to spring his attack. He felled one of the men and turned to face the one that remained. The two fought hand to hand for several minutes. Then, all at once, Qui-Gon pulled back and used the Force to hurtle a large beam at his opponent. He pinned the trooper against the alley wall. The Jedi let out a ragged breath of relief and knelt beside his young protégé. Obi-Wan stirred and raised an eyebrow.

"It took you long enough."

The corner of his mouth turned up in a pained smile. Qui-Gon smiled back as he helped him to his feet. He looked pointedly at Obi-Wan, the question hanging in the air.

"I have them. They're safe. Let's go back. I think the Queen may be in danger."

***

The transport settled at their site, and Qui-Gon surveyed the destruction with uneasiness. Obi-Wan had long since drifted back into unconsciousness. There was a stirring inside the Padme's tent, the only one left standing. Qui-Gon left his wounded companion and drew his lightsaber. As he approached, Padme sprung out wielding a jagged tent post. As recognition registered, both dropped their weapons and sighed with relief. The wild look that had been in Padme's eyes turned to one of quiet desperation. She frantically searched the scene before her. Suddenly, she saw him. His arm was all that was visible from her vantage point. It hung lifelessly off of the transport, blood trickling down his fingers.

She couldn't quell the soft cry that escaped her lips. She ran to him– praying he wasn't dead. She knelt next to him and brushed back the damp tendrils from his beaded brow, tears slipping silently down her face. His eyes slowly fluttered open.

"Tears, M'lady? I hope you're not trying to make me feel sorry for you with this emotional display, because it won't work."

Her gaze flew to his face– relief, joy, and something else that both of them recognized but were unwilling to name were evident in her shining eyes. He smiled weakly and reached out to stroke her hair. His words came out as a sigh.

"You're safe."

"Where is Anakin?"

Qui-Gon's question interrupted what had become an unexpectedly tender moment. The register of his voice made it clear that he expected an immediate reply. Padme swallowed and squared her shoulders as she turned to face the question, gently squeezing Obi-Wan's hand as she released it.

"He's gone. . . I'm sorry."

They all knew it was a lie.

"Master Qui-Gon, I fear that Anakin is not the man you hoped."

She set her jaw at the images of his angry departure. The Force revealed enough of what had transpired to the two Jedis. Qui-Gon looked down on her kindly as he stepped forward and took her small hand in his own. It took a moment for her to relax, the tension slowly ebbing, first from her hand, and then through the rest of weary body.

He sighed heavily and looked at her apologetically. "We should have seen. . . I should have."

He looked sadly at Obi-Wan, remembering his well intentioned, and unheeded warnings, before turning his attention back to Padme.

"Can you see to Master Kenobi's wounds, my dear? I must go find the boy."

Her eyes widened. She wanted to ask him not to go, but she knew it would be fruitless. She swallowed her fear and forced a halfhearted smile.

"Of course."